AUSTRALIA will sign the Global Methane Pledge to help ensure ongoing access to international markets for the country’s $24 billion livestock and dairy industry according to some politicians.
Signing the pledge means the nation joins more than 120 countries in the hope the collective ambition will reduce world methane emissions by 30 percent by 2030.
“This is a non-binding goal that is already accepted by over 120 countries, including some of the biggest beef producing countries in the world,” said Federal Minister for Agriculture, Murray Watt.
“By signing the pledge, we are putting Australia’s ag sector on a level playing field with our trade competitors.
“Increasingly our trading partners are wanting to do deals with countries that demonstrate a stronger commitment to sustainability.
“By investing in new technologies such as feed supplements, the industry can remain internationally competitive.”
Minister Watt said red meat producers were already ahead of the curve and had reduced their emissions by 59 percent since 2005.
“In addition, industry has already committed itself to carbon neutral meat production by 2030 and is well on the way to achieve those goals,” he said.
“We’re backing industry, having made clear the pledge does not require reduced herd sizes and we will not legislate taxes or levies to reduce livestock emissions.
“As we have seen with the recent floods, our farmers are on the frontline for the impacts of climate change.”
He said ABARES modelling estimated changes in seasonal conditions had reduced annual farm profits by 23 percent or around $29,200 per farm from 2001 to 2020.
“It’s about time Australian agriculture had a government that’s catching up to industry’s ambitions for a more sustainable future,” he said.
Farmers’ Federation president Fiona Simson welcomed the news and said farmers were already leading the charge on climate action in Australia. She said strong assurances and partnership provided by the government meant the pledge would not negatively impact the agriculture sector.                                                                                                                    John Mcgoverne, Cattle Council CEO, said the Australian beef industry was already on track to reach net zero emissions without reducing livestock numbers.
“Millions in cattle levies have been invested in new feed additives that significantly reduce methane emissions including asparagopsis, or pink seaweed, which can cut emissions by more than 90 percent,” he said.
“These kinds of technologies will encourage producers to get involved and they should be rewarded for their effort.”